Soekarno-Hatta Airport Remains Closed as Passengers Keep Arriving

Hundreds of passengers continued arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday, even as the airport remained closed for a second day because of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.

Passengers gathered in the lobbies of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 with their luggage. Others went to airline counters outside the terminals to ask about canceled flights, refunds and rescheduling. Some still hoped they might be able to fly.

“I’m still hoping there will be another flight,” said Suryana, a passenger traveling to Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi. The 40-year-old had reached the airport at 11 p.m. Sunday for a flight scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday. After the flight was canceled, she stayed at the airport in case another service became available, but eventually rescheduled her trip.

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I’m still hoping there will be another flight.

The airport’s Monday schedule listed 624 planned flights, including 461 domestic services, 156 international flights and seven cargo flights. The schedule covered 75,236 passengers, but no departures had been confirmed while the closure remained in place. The closure had been extended until 6 p.m. local time because tests continued to detect volcanic ash exposure, said Yudistiawan, assistant deputy for communications and legal affairs at the airport branch.

Yudistiawan said fewer passengers arrived than the previous day because airlines had informed travelers about the disruption and advised them not to come until further notice. For passengers already at the airport, Angkasa Pura Indonesia, also known as InJourney Airports, arranged free buses to Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang and Surabaya. The buses were scheduled to leave at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and passengers had to show a confirmed flight ticket. Pickup points were located at Terminal 1C, Terminal 2E and Gate 3 in the terminal area.

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We have informed the prospective passengers directly.